Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 1st, 2014 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

North facing sheltered areas at treeline will have the best chance for decent skiing. Travel is getting better, and the days are longer. Lengthier tours are seeming more realistic these days.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

A similar day to today. Temps will come up a bit, but it will still be chilly in the morning. -15 is the morning low. There will be more cloud cover throughout the entire day as well. No significant snow.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches noted today

Snowpack Summary

Light winds in the alpine have started to move some of the surface snow. No sign of any significant windslabs yet. SE to SW aspects have a sun crust that will occasionally support a skier/rider. On non-solar aspects the surface snow is still loose. Classic dust on crust type skiing. The buried windslabs (and mid-pack in general) is faceting out with the cold temps. The loss of slab density is reducing the likelihood of the slabs propagating. No change in the quality of the basal layers. They are still weak. Treeline depths vary dramatically from area to area. Today's adventure was to Mt. Nestor where the average depth at treeline was 40 cm's.

Problems

Wind Slabs

We are seeing no natural activity on this layer. Forecasters still believe the problem exists in very steep, unsupported terrain at upper treeline elevations.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Depth hoar and facets still linger at the bottom of the snowpack. Caution in steep, thin areas. Especially if the area has not previously avalanched.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2014 2:00PM